Exercising device



W. CONWAY EXERCI'SING DEVICE Filed April 19. 1924 WITNESSES IN V EN TOR 1 WE YM/IN Co/v WHY BY M 6 ATTORNE YS Patented Oct. 6, 1925.

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WEYMAN CONWAY, or JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

EmcIsING DEVICE.

Application filed April 19, 1924. Serial No. 707,786.

vices and its function is toexercise the hyoglossus muscle of the tongue to improve the vocal organ'and, in a modified form, to train the tongueand develop correct vocal habits and assist in the development and exercise of the hyo-glossus muscle.

In all great singers the muscle known as the hyo-glossus, which forms the under-surface and part of the body of the tongue, is highly developed. In 'all poor voices, ineluding inferior singers, husky-voiced orators and stammerers this muscle is very weakr The 'hyo glossus muscle, having at neither attachment a solid and steady foundation remaining immovable, is thistened "at one end to the tongue and at the other end to the hyoid bone, which is very mobile. This muscle requires something of a steady mature in order that it may contract itself'against it and develop its fibers to a degree of perfection, and it 'isthe purpose of my invention to provide a device or devices which are made to fit within the lower jaw, resting under the tongue and servin the purpose as abovepointed out.

Wit these and otherobjects in view,'the inventionconsists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and a1"- rangements of "parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompan ing drawings-'- Figure 1 is a p an view illustrating my improved exercising device in position within a lower jaw, the jaw being illustrated more or less diagrammatically;

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to F igures 1 and 2 and illustrating a modification.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, 1 represents the lower jaw, 2 the teeth, and 3 my improved exercising device. This exercising device may be made of hard rubber or any other suitable material which can be used in the mouth without injurious effects and which will give the necessary rigidity to perform its functions.

It is to be understood that the device must be molded or otherwise formed so 'as to exactly fit the jaw in which 'it is to be used.

The device is of bifurcated form somewhat V-shaped in plan, the joined portion of the furcations 1 lying at the front ot the jaw and the furcations -l, 4 extending rearwardly or inwardly as far as may be "desired.

This device 0 may be supported by wire bails or frames 5, 5 fixed to the same in any approved manner and engaging over the teeth 2, preferably having its respective'end portions positioned between certain tcetlnas shown.

It is obvious that wide latitude is possible in the manner of holdingthe'device in the jaw as this will depend altogether upon the patient and the condition of the teeth or jaw, but it is desirable to provide some means which will support "the device spaced from the inner bottom portion ofthejaw. as indicated most clearly'in Figure 2.

The device 3 throughout its furcat-ions and at-its joined portion presents to the bottom of the tongue a smooth rounded surface, and it will be noted that by the reason of the shape of the device a longitudinal space 6is provided between the furcations so as to prevent pressure against the center longitudinal line of the "bottom of the tongue, and to exert pressure only on the under portion of the tongue at the sides where the exercising of the hyo-glossus muscle is desirable.

In Figures 3 and 1- I illustrate a modified form of device '7, which is of the same-general shape in plan as the form shown in Fig ures 1 and 2, but in cross section is of a shape to fit against th inner face or wall of the jaw, as shown most clearly in Figure 1. In other words, this device 7 fits within the jaw and rests comfortably against the inner surface thereof, and does not offer obstruction or resistance to the movement of the tongue to the same extent as does the form shown in Figure 1. It is my intention to provide both forms of this device for use upon the same patient in exercising the hyoglossus and correcting the vocal habits, as will now be explained.

As above explained, both forms of the device are adapted for developing the hyoglossus muscle and correcting the vocal habits but must be used scientifically in order to give the best results without undue annoyance and inconvenience to the patient. For instance, I recommend the use of the device illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 for much longer periods than that shown in Figures 1 and 2.

This device 7, shown in Figures 3 and 4, is to be worn in the mouth for a certain length of time each day, preferably while the user is reading aloud or conversing, so that the tongue receives the pressure and develo s the muscle. Its use is to strengthen t e tongue by opposing it and also to help the development of the hyo-glossus muscle. The tongue strikes this device in enunciating each syllable and in this way brings'out' the strength of the tongue and develops it.

By the use of the device a marked improvement will be noted after a period of careful reading aloud, endeavoring to pronounce each word as carefully as ssible, and after a short time the pupil will be able to read aloud withoutany noticeable obstruction, showing the progress in the bringing out of the stren h of the tongue. t also serves to train t e pupil to use of the tip of the tongue from which all sound should seem to emanate.

The device 3, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is worn for short intervals, when exercises are to be taken with it in place. These exercises consist of contracting the back part of the tongue, then relaxing the tongue, for many times. The effect upon the muscle is soon apparent and, in fact, almost immediate.

The use of the appliance or device will function to clearu' usky, weak vo'ices,'is'a remedy for catarr of the throat in cases where the rubbing of the muscles together are causing inflammation by pulling the wrong way, and, furthermore, will function as a remedy for the inflamed condition of the vocal cords known as laryngitis, as the device will function to position the vocal cords in their pro r relation to each other.

The device is bi urcated to permit the free use of the frenum liguae and the larger muscles of the tongue, which will hold the tongue forward and enable it to strike. This furcation also allows these muscles to move unmolested.

It is, of course, to be understood that the longer the devices are used and the oftener the more beneficial will be the results, an

while I have referred to. certain beneficial results I have by no means enumerated all of the beneficial results; as, for example, the device will be useful as a remedy for stammering.

Furthermore, it may be possible to make the device in standard sizes so that it will not be necessary to mold the device for each mouth.

I might, of course, enumerate at considerable length many other improvements which result to the pupil or patient from-theme of the devices illustrated, but I have stated sufiicient uses to indicate that the device or 1' devices function to improve or correctthe use of the tongue, the strengtheningofthe hyo-glossus muscle, the im rovement. .in the vocal organ and the res tant improvement in health, and these important functions of the device are due to its shape and location within the jaw, and hence I desire to cover broadly this idea which will nowbe claimed.

I claim: 1. A device of the character described, comprising a bifurcated member adapted to fit within the lower jaw of the user adapted to be positioned inside of the row of teeth of the jaw and lie substantially horizontal under the tonglue, with the ,fureaar y tions extending rearw and having an inclined upper faee. a. I

2. A device of the ha a comprisi V the lower new and inside of thetpqth of aw of the user, and an upper surface .to the lower surfnce gf the tongue, said up 1' surface being down wardlg in its outer edge; V H

3. device of the hem: described, comprising a. bifurcated member ada A t9, fit within the lower jaw and inside e row of teeth in the jaw of the user, haying," the, connected portion thereof at h of the jaw and the furcationseggtending rear wardly or upwardl along thesidesof the jaw, said member .t roughout ts length pre- Swing smcoth ep rmg ina i ed fiat-e face to the tongue restin thereagfiinst. L

4. A device of the c aracter esqri compr' a bifurcated member adapted ,to fit within t e lower jaw of the user, andwire' frames fixed to the sides of the member adapted to engage over the teeth of the lower jaw. j

Y WEYMAN Come.

a member adapted to fit within: .1; 

